The European Commission on Saturday decided to temporarily exempt the tariffs and value-added tax (VAT) on medical goods and personal protective equipment imported from outside the EU in a bid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commission said that the effective date of this decision dates back to January 30, initially for a period of six months, and may be extended in the future.

This measure will help reduce the price of masks, ventilators and other materials in urgent need to enter the EU market.

According to EU rules, EU member states can apply to the European Commission for the exemption of duties and VAT on certain commodities, which can be implemented after approval by the commission.

On March 20, all member states and Britain, which is still in the transition period of "Brexit," submitted to the European Commission requirements for exemption from customs duties and VAT on medical supplies and personal protective equipment, which have been approved.

The eurozone was hit hard by the coronavirus as production activities halted and employment dampened. The eurozone PMI slumped to 44.5 in March from 49.2 in February, a seven-and-a-half-year low.

The European Union is considering to pump 110 billion U.S. dollars into the bloc's economy to help those hit by the COVID-19 disease.